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Information Updated: 11/14/2003 Mission Impossible is coming to the Xbox and PS2 this December. I had a chance to play an early preview version and what I’ve seen thus far is a decent stealth/action title that supplies many-o-gadgets, and many-o-camera issues, but in the end should supply many-o-hours-o-fun.
The presentation is just like the films, complete with the classic secret mission objective that self-destructs in 5 seconds. You are given a group of comrades to help guide your way through many levels to solve each mission. The visuals are pretty good, but suffer hard from an annoying camera that seems to always be in the way. You can adjust it by using the right analog stick, but when the situation is critical, it becomes a bother. The levels I played in the early version are very detailed and very large. The enemy A.I. is very dumb on easy, but on impossible difficulty, the game is a stickler for details. Attacking at the right moment leads to no alarms, while tripping laser lines or poorly sneaking up on a guard leads to many more guards and eventually death. Controls are very good, wacky camera or not, and utilize most buttons on the PS2 controller. Collision detection was a little off, and jumping in the game was a joke, but thankfully this is a stealth game, not a platformer. Audio is pretty standard, complete with lulling orchestrated stealth style themes to keep the palms sweaty. The voice acting, while decent and humorous at times seems to try to pretend it’s another stealth game that deals with “Snakes”. Even the level layout and some animations seem out of the pages of that other “Solid” game. Want more possible copyright infringement? How about the map design that shows the line of sight for your enemies in a cone shape manner? As “Geared” up as the game may be, it will appeal to the action/shooter/stealth fan as it is intriguing enough to stand on it’s own. With a nice variety of missions, gadgets, and maneuvers, MI fans will be easily be psyched for this one.
Ethan Hunt hasn’t had an interactive adventure since the Nintendo 64, a release notoriously known for being delayed more times than you could count on your fingers ‘n toes combined. In Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma, however, gamers will step into the shoes of the only secret agent to give 007 a run for his money as he attempts to discover the secrets behind the monstrous Surma Corporation and its plans for global domination using an “ICEWorm” computer virus. Taking a cue from open-ended adventures like Deus Ex, developer Paradigm Entertainment is designing Mission: Impossible with the intention of players having all sorts of mission possibilities. How much freedom the player actually has in these choices remains to be seen. Say a sizable amount of enemies lie ahead. You could a) forge an alliance with somewhat reprehensible characters to help you out; b) engage head-on with the latest weaponry from the IMF and risk being annihilated; or c) slink in the shadows and bypass the enemies entirely. All sorts of other features are being tossed in, so let’s take a closer look: - Open-Ended Gameplay: Take out a guard and dispose of his body, sneak behind the guard and slip by unnoticed, distract the guard to another area, tranquilize the guard remotely or even take him prisoner are just a few options.
- Super Spy Gadgets: Dozens of super-cool gadgets are at players' fingertips, including: The Wasp, a miniature remote-controlled "bug" with a devastating "sting"; a directional microphone used to create distractions; binoculars featuring a digital camera for evidence gathering; EMP darts for disabling critical electronic devices.
- Agent Moves and Abilities: Ethan Hunt isn’t a gymnast, but he can get the job done by vaulting and mantling; hand walking on ledges; wall hugging; crouching and creeping; hand-over-hand maneuvering on pipes and girders. Look for numerous stealth disabling, restraining and finishing maneuvers, as well.
- Gameplay Locations: Led by Mission Commander Swanbeck, players undertake missions in exotic locations around the world, including: the Los Muertos research facility in the southwestern United States; Sansara Prison in Northern Africa; and Yugaria, a fictional Eastern European country.
It doesn’t matter which console you own; Mission: Impossible – Operation Surma will be hitting a video game machine near you in November. Though it hasn’t been announced, Gaming Age would not be surprised to see connectivity between the GameCube and Game Boy Advance releases.
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